Methods and compositions for treating pre-eclampsia

Abstract

Methods and compositions using trehalose or a derivative or prodrug thereof for treating pre-eclampsia in a subject are disclosed.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of treating pre-eclampsia in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of about 2 g/kg of trehalose or a derivative or prodrug thereof, thereby treating pre-eclampsia in the subject. 
     
     
       2. A method of delaying the onset of or treating pre-eclampsia in a subject in need thereof, the method comprising:
 a) detecting a level of at least one tauopathy marker in a sample obtained from the subject, 
 b) comparing the level of the at least one tauopathy marker to a corresponding reference level; and wherein if the level of the at least one tauopathy marker is different from the corresponding reference level, 
 c) administering to the subject a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of about 2 g/kg of trehalose or a derivative or prodrug thereof, thereby treating or delaying the onset of pre-eclampsia in the subject. 
 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the sample is selected from the group consisting of a serum sample, a urine sample and a sample obtained from the placenta. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the sample is a serum or urine sample. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the at least one tauopathy marker is selected from the group consisting of a protein aggregate, cis p-tau and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pre-eclampsia is characterized by elevated levels of cis-p-tau in a sample obtained from the subject. 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the pre-eclampsia is characterized by depressed levels and/or inactivation of Pin-1. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-eclampsia is characterized by the presence of protein aggregates in a sample obtained from the subject. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the trehalose promotes degradation of protein aggregates. 
     
     
       10. The method according to  claim 8 , wherein the sample is a serum sample or a urine sample. 
     
     
       11. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein the subject is a human female. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the human female is characterized by a risk factor selected from the group consisting of previous history of pre-eclampsia, multiple gestation, history of chronic high blood pressure, history of diabetes, history of kidney disease, history of organ transplant, first pregnancy, obesity and combinations thereof. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising obtaining trehalose or a derivative or prodrug thereof.